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In this section you will find detailed information, including national overviews and state and regional level assessments, from the 2000-2002 National Land and Water Resources Audit theme assessments.
Water resources - Overview - Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory water resources - at a glance
On average the ACT uses 73 GL of water per year, which is <1% of Australia's total use.
Of the total water use 68 GL of water is used from surface water sources and 76 GL of surface water is allocated to consumptive use.
5 GL of water is used from groundwater sources. The sustainable yield of groundwater for ACT is 103 GL per year, which is <1% of Australia's total.
None of the 3 Surface Water Management Areas and none of the 3 groundwater management units are assessed as being highly or overdeveloped.
Map of Australian Capital Territory's surface water management areas
Select a surface water management area on the map to find out more about that area.
Map of Australian Capital Territory's groundwater provinces
Select a groundwater province on the map to find out more about that area.
Overview
In comparison with the States and the Northern Territory, the ACT's water resources are not significant but they are an integral and valued part of the natural landscape and are critical to the future economic development of the Territory. Water, its availability and use, has been a key driver in shaping the ACT. The availability of an adequate and good quality water supply was a key determinant of the location of the ACT when it was established in 1909. A significant proportion of the ACT's water resources has now been developed to support the needs of the national capital, which include a high proportion of parks and gardens. In addition, Canberra has a large number of smaller lakes and ponds designed to protect downstream water quality in the Murrumbidgee and to enhance recreational and aesthetic amenity.
The ACT lies entirely within the upper part of the Murrumbidgee River catchment as an 'island' within NSW. The Murrumbidgee River itself is a major feature of the ACT entering from NSW in the south and returning to NSW through the northern border.
While in the past water supplies have been sufficient to meet requirements, there is likely to be increasing demand on the water resources of the ACT as a result of the continued growth and diversification of the ACT and surrounding region. It should also be noted that Canberra is the largest urban area in the Murray-Darling Basin in which there is significant pressure on the available water resources. In this context the ACT is committed to sustainable and equitable management of its water resources and the protection of associated environmental values.
Surface Water Reporting Units
The ACT is entirely within the Murrumbidgee catchment and the major tributaries draining the Territory are the Cotter, Gudgenby and Molonglo Rivers. The Murrumbidgee Basin covers an area of 84,700 km2, of which the ACT occupies 2,400 km2, representing 3% of the whole basin. The Murrumbidgee River rises to the southwest of the ACT. It flows some 30 km before reaching Tantangara Reservoir in NSW, where most of its flow is diverted to Lake Eucumbene. The river then flows for a further 150km in NSW and then through the ACT to Burrinjuck Reservoir to the north of the ACT in NSW.
Groundwater Reporting Units
The ACT is entirely within the Upper Murrumbidgee River Catchment. The ACT catchment has been subdivided into three Groundwater Management Units 410.a, 410.b and 410.c which correspond to the Management Areas for surface water resources. It includes an area of NSW from which the ACT draws surface water resources. The total surface area of the GMU is 3626 square kilometres. The ACT takes a conservative approach to groundwater management providing for efficient use and ensuring the protection of the aquifers and associated environmental values. Within the Groundwater Management Unit, it is thought that there is scope for further use of groundwater for rural purposes.
For further information on water in the ACT, go to the Envoronment ACT website.
Further Information
- View the Australian Capital Territory Water Resources Assessment 2000 Report
- View the Australian Capital Territory Water Resources Assessment 2000 Technical Report
- Link to data available for download on the:
- Surface Water Management Areas
- Groundwater management units and provinces - ARC/INFO export
- Data from the 1985 Review of Australia's Water Resources and Water Use
- Link to the Map Maker to make a map using this information.
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